Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFB | Hyped-freshman running back Carter realizes he's not in high school anymore
By Mark Medina
Posted: 9/19/06, 11:48 PM EST Section: Sports
Against Illinois, he relished the role. Robinson wouldn't explain why he used Carter for that purpose.
"For me to sit there and talk about something, I don't know," Robinson said. "Delone happened to be the guy carrying the football. I'm not going to go into it much more than that. But he did a good job running those things. I also think we ran off a tackle on one play and there was good blocking, too."
Carter knows he can only improve, but heading against the Red Hawks he wants to make that progression gradual this time.
He admits, given he'll be playing in front of fans who saw him in high school, he would love to be able to say at the end of the game, "We beat you."
Carter also acknowledges a player's goal is always to have the starting position. But right now Carter doesn't see that as his to take. Given Brinkley's success-186 total yards-Carter has no legitimate claim for the job.
His time will come whenever he proves himself. But right now Carter has a different role-to complement Brinkley.
"Curtis and I talk about how we have to get in the end zone," Carter said. "We had nice runs but we want longer runs. We want to improve. I feel like I have a lot more to offer."
The first benchmark to reach is to score on a rushing touchdown, a feat the Orange has yet to accomplish this season.
Carter said he's been trying to emulate Brinkley's slashing style and ability to read the holes in practice. He also takes cues from his favorite former running backs, ranging from Barry Sanders' cutting to the strength and quickness perfected by Jim Brown and Ernie Davis.
The goal in that approach is to combine various strengths from different talented backs into one man. Carter knows that won't immediately show on Saturday. But it's a start.
"I knew it was going to be a big adjustment," Carter said. "It took me a while to get the hang of what was going on out there on the field. Finally it came along-the patience I needed to have when I'm out there and the urgency to go when I needed to go."
"For me to sit there and talk about something, I don't know," Robinson said. "Delone happened to be the guy carrying the football. I'm not going to go into it much more than that. But he did a good job running those things. I also think we ran off a tackle on one play and there was good blocking, too."
Carter knows he can only improve, but heading against the Red Hawks he wants to make that progression gradual this time.
He admits, given he'll be playing in front of fans who saw him in high school, he would love to be able to say at the end of the game, "We beat you."
Carter also acknowledges a player's goal is always to have the starting position. But right now Carter doesn't see that as his to take. Given Brinkley's success-186 total yards-Carter has no legitimate claim for the job.
His time will come whenever he proves himself. But right now Carter has a different role-to complement Brinkley.
"Curtis and I talk about how we have to get in the end zone," Carter said. "We had nice runs but we want longer runs. We want to improve. I feel like I have a lot more to offer."
The first benchmark to reach is to score on a rushing touchdown, a feat the Orange has yet to accomplish this season.
Carter said he's been trying to emulate Brinkley's slashing style and ability to read the holes in practice. He also takes cues from his favorite former running backs, ranging from Barry Sanders' cutting to the strength and quickness perfected by Jim Brown and Ernie Davis.
The goal in that approach is to combine various strengths from different talented backs into one man. Carter knows that won't immediately show on Saturday. But it's a start.
"I knew it was going to be a big adjustment," Carter said. "It took me a while to get the hang of what was going on out there on the field. Finally it came along-the patience I needed to have when I'm out there and the urgency to go when I needed to go."
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